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August 2018

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19 NIV)

From the Pastor's Desk
August 2018

AUGUST 1ST 2018

Dear Saints,

WE’RE SECURED IN GOD

The name of the Lordis a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are [asafe (Proverbs 18:10 NKJV).]

It seems many people do not feel secured in our world today. Their fears are stoked by the tragic deaths through gun violence, stabbings and other forms of attacks. The reality is, no city, community or country is immuned from these senseless, heinous attacks on innocent lives. The goal of the perpetrators of these acts is to terrorize those of us who want to enjoy our God-given freedoms.

It’s not God’s will that, any of us would live in fear. The Word of God helps us to know that, there’s divine protection in God. King Solomon wrote; The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10).

Why the name of the LORD? Among the Jews, names are very important. This is so because, the name of a person reveals that individual’s identity, A person’s name, also tells what that individual is capable of doing.

In Exodus, when God was sending Moses to go to Pharaoh and ask him to allow the Israelites to go he (Moses) put this question to God;“Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them (Exodus 3:13)?”, Here’s God’s reply to Moses;“I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” (Exodus 3:13).

For God to say that, I AM WHO I AM, we see him referring to his attributes and character. This name is related to the Hebrew verb meaning “to be,” which implies the absolute existence of God. If so, we have to know that, through God’s name, he gives complete security to all those who put their trust in him. This security could be physical, spiritual, emotional or psychological. This is not to suggest that, we put God to the test by blatantly putting ourselves in harm’s way.

In his temptation to Jesus, Satan told him; 9 …“If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:

‘He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you,’

11 and,

‘In their hands they shall bear

Lest you dash your foot against a stone’ ” (Luke 4:9b-11).

Satan wanted Jesus to showcase his authority through the security his Father has given him; but he declined.

To King Solomon, he saw in God’s name a strong tower. A tower so high, able to give security to all of us. In the ancient days, watchtowers were built to house soldiers, their arsenals and food supplies. These towers were heavily fortified, as they were built with thick stones. The towers also served as refuge and shelter when calamity hits the community. The name of God therefore gives refuge to all those who call on his name in times of trouble; be it sickness, natural disaster, or man-made violence which we see in our world today.

King David knew the importance of these watchtowers when he said;

2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You,

When my heart is overwhelmed;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. 4 I will abide in Your [a]tabernacle forever;

I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah (Psalm 61:2-4).

Saints, let’s not live in fear because of the violence going on around us; for that’s the aim of Satan. Let’s remember that, we have a God who is able to secure us in the mighty tower of his name.

In conclusion, I want us to reflect on Charles Wesley’s hymn; Captain of Israel’s host and guide.

1 Captain of Israel's host and guide

of all who seek the land above,

beneath thy shadow we abide,

the cloud of thy protecting love;

our strength, thy grace;

our rule, thy word;

our end, the glory of the Lord.

2 By thine unerring Spirit led,

we shall not in the desert stray;

we shall not full direction need,

nor miss our providential way;

as far from danger as from fear

while love, almighty love, is near.

3 We've no abiding city here,

but seek a city out of sight;

thither our steady course we steer,

aspiring to the plains of light:

Jerusalem the saints' abode,

whose founder is the living God.[i]

ANNOUNCEMENTS

My second book titled: Understanding Love: Biblical & Cultural Perspectives has just been released. You may order your copy from Amazon.com or through the Publisher @ www.shidaanikei.com.

The first book titled: African Spirituality: Did Africans know God before the arrival of the Missionaries? Could also be purchase on Amazon and shidaanikei.com as well.

We will be grateful if you are able to support us financially as we embark on church planting programs in Africa.

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